A dog walker had to be rescued from a waist-deep water as torrential downpours caused havoc across the region.

Roads were closed, events cancelled and houses flooded too as heavy rain followed the warm weather earlier in July.

Among the routes shut by the sudden downpour was Scotswood Road, in Newcastle, which was shut until 1pm after workmen had removed silt and the water levels had reduced.

Ouseburn Road near Heaton was also closed off and parts of Shiremoor in North Tyneside became in passable for motorists due to excess surface water.

The downpours, which started about 2am yesterday, saw fire fighters from across County Durham called out to help residents unable to stem the rainwater flowing into their properties.

A fire service spokesman said: “We have been dealing with a number of flood related incidents across the county. The calls are largely from residents and we were out at a home in Nettlesworth where the water was rising in a basement.”

In Northumberland fire crews were called to reports a woman walking her dog in the village of Seaton Sluice was trapped due to the heavy rain. Arriving at the scene they found the woman up to her waist in water.

A Northumberland Fire Service spokesman said: “We don’t know how or why but a woman had been out and about with her dog in Holywell Dene where there is a small river and got into difficulties. The heavy rain may have raised its levels.

“She was up to her waist in water and needed help getting out, We took along specialist equipment and used throw ropes and man power to get her out.”

While the emergency services were kept busy, the rain’s presence also put a dampener on events planned for what was hoped could be a balmy Sunday similar to those enjoyed throughout this month. At Newcastle’s Leazes Park the annual Paws with Pride event, organised by charity Northern Pride, was postponed because of the weather.

Also cancelled was the Norse Challenge 10K, an extreme obstacle course due to take place at Druridge Bay Country Park for the first time. Many who had paid the £25 to take part where left angry a race which aimed at getting runners to compete in wet and muddy conditions could be so dependent on the weather.

Others claim the weather was just one element which led to the event being called off. Runner Matt Offer said: “I was one of many who had paid an entry fee yet received no further information from the organisers until two days before the race.

“I arrived early to register and found one man who was attempting to register hundreds of runners. Many of these spent their morning stood in the inevitable queue in the freezing rain. Eventually a rumour spread that the race was due to start only for an official to appear and say the race had been cancelled.”

A statement from race organisers on their facebook page said: “Due to poor weather and the forecast for worse weather. After consulting with safety teams we took the decision to cancel today’s event. We have rescheduled for September 8.”